Table attachment for beverage containers



May 24, 1949. T. E. FOULKE 9 3 TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS Filed May 10,. 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR TED E. FOULKE Wgw 73% M ATTORNEYS May 24, 1949. FOULKE 2,471,03Q

TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS Filed May 10, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-6 A T 'D E WKE I: FIG-7 ATTORNEYS Patented May 24, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS 3 Claims.

The invention relates to a device for temporary application to a table corner or table edge, the device being adapted for securely holding beverage containers such as bottles, glasses, or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an attachment or fixture of the nature indicated, provided with secure clamping means which can be readily manually applied to a table from a comfortable standing or sitting position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device as indicated in the last preceding paragraph, wherein the clamp manipulating means is located at approximately the level of the table top, thereby avoiding the necessity of assuming an uncomfortable position, or leaving ones seat, in order to secure or release the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device as indicated in the last two preceding paragraphs, which is simply yet sturdily constructed, and which will support and retain a glass of liquid therein, with little or no danger of the glass being accidentally overturned.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device such as indicated in the last three preceding paragraphs, the device being adjustably attachable to tables of various shapes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one novel embodiment of my invention, as seen from a left front position, and somewhat above.

Fig, 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. l, but as seen from a right rear position, and somewhat below.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in position on a table corner, the showing of the table being fragmentary.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of several elements of the clamp structure.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a device similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but slightly modified to .be self accommodating to a round table.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of still another embodiment of the invention which is hingedly adjustable so that it can be attached to tables varying considerably in contour.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

The invention now to be described, while adapted for a variety of uses, is particularl useful for holding bottles or glasses of liquid refreshment on a table edge convenient to the seat of a player, for example in a card game. As is well known, under such conditions it is not at all unusual for a player to accidentally overturn a glass of beverage when reaching for cards, or when dealing cards, or otherwise. Not only does the present invention completely prevent such undesirable accidents, but it maintains the table top clear for the game itself.

Attachments have heretofore been devised to effect a similar purpose. Generally speaking, such prior attachments have exhibited various disadvantages. Most of them have been provided with screw-manipulated clamps, disposed beneath the table, and operatable either blindly or from a most uncomfortable position so that there was considerable personal objection to attaching or detaching the device. Others have had structural disadvantages apparent even on superficial observation, causing them to be insecure or unstable, or adapting them only to one specific location, or preventing their use near table corners, particularly on conventional card tables because the table leg interfered with the clamping part beneath the table. Practically all previously available devices were clumsy and solely utilitarian, lacking the appropriate and artistic appearance so pleasing to the hostess or host.

All such disadvantages have been avoided in the development of the present inventive structure.

Referring now to the drawings, and at first to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and adapted for use on a corner of a table, shelf, or other horizontal panel of moderate thickness, there is shown a removable fixture comprising a bracket-like body adapted to straddle the corner, of a table 9, and provided with a top plate Ill having converging side edges II from which a pair of side walls 12 depend. The convergence of edges II and walls l2 in the present instance is such that they match the convergence of the side edges of a rectangular table corner (Fig. 3), and the body may be placed on a table corner and slid inwardly until walls l2 make common contact with the respective table edges 9a.

The walls l2, and the structural elements, later to be described, which are a part of, or fixed to, said walls or are carried thereby, are identical in the present embodiment at each edge ll of the plate ID, so that description of one wall and its appurtenances will suflice for both.

Depending vertically from wall l2, and fixed thereto is a leg l3 (Figs. 1, 2 and l) having at its lower end a horizontal outward extension or foot I6 which, as will appear, serves as a bottom support for a beverage container, one such container being indicated in dotted line in Fig. 4. Above foot M the Wall l2 supports a collar 15 of substantial vertical extent, and of sufficient diameter to telescopingly receive a conventional glass, or a bottle of moderate size. Collar I5 is fixed to wall 12, and in the present instance is conveniently fabricated from a steel strip bent as shown, and attached to Wall' l2,-.by rivets H5 or otherwise, at several vertically spaced points, both on the inturned strip end ll and along the curved portion I 8 of the collar.

It will be apparent that the-substantialvertical height of collar [5, in conjunction with its spaced location above foot l4, assures a stable glass or bottle position since a major portion of the vertical height of'a glass, forexample, is disposed below the top edge of the collar. A glass so situated can be overturned only by deliberate removal thereof. The substantial height of the collar also assures sufiicient structural strength to prevent its deformation or injury by accidental impact, even when the collar is empty.

The clamping means for securely retaining the device on the table corner will now be discussed.

It comprises a pair of vertically movable clamping fingers 20 (Figs. 4 and 5) carried one on each wall l2 and extending inwardly into the space between the converging walls. Each finger passes inwardly through a slot 2| in wall l2. The finger has a vertical plunger portion 23 extending upwardly along the outer face of wall l2, and slidably retained in contact therewith by a headed rivet 2dfixed in wall l2, and having its shank disposed within a slot 25 in the plunger. The length of the slot defines the span of travel of the plunger, and consequently the thickness of the table top which can be accommodated between the upper face of finger 20 and the lower face of top plate ID.

The top of plunger 23 has a horizontal tab 26 thereon for convenient manipulation of the plunger and its clamping finger 2B. The finger is biased upwardly to clamping position by a helical compression spring 21 (Fig. 4) the upper end of which contacts the lower face of tab 26, 1

the lower end of the spring resting on out-turned abutment means 28 carried near the lower end of wall l2.

Collar 15 hereinabove described is formed by coiling a steel strip to suitable size, there being enough excess strip |5a beyond the confines of the collar to provide an anchorage to wall I2. The excess strip also serves as a concealing housing for the plunger 23 and the spring 21, said elements being located in the corner space between the collar IS, the strip portion I5a, and the wall 12. The top of said space may be covered, to a considerable extent, by tab 26.

Th attachment may be very conveniently applied to the table edge by grasping a ring IS in each hand, with the right and left-thumbs engaging the upper surfaces of tabs 26. The top plate it is then placed on a table corner, straddling the converging table edges, and, with tabs t depressed, the attachment is moved inwardly until walls !2 make mutual contact with said table edges. Tabs 26 are then permitted to spring upwardly under the influence of springs 2?, thereby causing clamping fingers 20 to contact the under side ofthe table corner.

It will be obvious that the attachment may be removed by performing these operations in reverse.

The presence of a table leg at the extreme corner of the table top (a construction frequently encountered in collapsible card tables) does not interfere with the attachment or detachment of the device hereinabove described. The attaching and detaching operations may beeffected from an ordinary sitting or standing position with great rapidity and without particular attention to guide the operations, which are quite reliably and securely performed by the sense of feeling alone.

'The embodiment above described, and shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, can be applied to tables of shapes other than the rectangular one shown, by merely changing the angle of convergence of walls'l2, perhaps in conjunction with a change in the length of top plate I0, or in the position of clamping finger 25. Several additional" em bodiments will now be mentioned, however. to exemplify the adaptability of my design to other tables, merely by a change in contour or construction of the top plate. f

Fig. 6 illustrates a beverage holding'attachment for application to a round table 30. In this embodiment the top plate 3| has an outer wall 32 which is curved to a radius approximately that of the table. The arrangement and structure of the collars and clamps is identical with those of the previously described embodiment.

Figs. '7 and 8 illustrate a table attachment which is hingedly adjustable to fit the corner of any polygonal table having three or more straight sides. In this embodiment the top plate is made from two sheet members 35 and 36 having lapped portions provided with aligned apertures for the reception of a pivot member 31. As seen by reference to Fig. '7, the full line position shows the attachment adjusted for application to a rectangular table, the angle between the coriverging walls being ninety degrees. v If member 36 be swung to the broken line position, 'the enclosed angle between the converging walls is then one hundred and thirty-five degrees, so that it will accurately conform to the corner of an octagonal table. 1

' What I claim is:

1. A table attachment of the character described comprising a body portioniof sheet material adapted to rest on a table top straddling a corner thereof, said body portion including a top plate extending diagonally across said corner, and a pair of side walls depending from the opposed ends of said top plate in respective vertical planes, said side walls being adaptedto contact converging edge face portions of the table corner, beverage container-holding means carried on the respective outer faces of said side walls, a vertically reciprocable clamping finger slidably retained on eachsaid side wall below said topplate, spring biasing means adapted to urge each said finger upwardly into contact with the under side of said table top, each said clamping finger having an operating plunger forurging said finger downwardly out of contact with the table topas aforesaid, the upper ends of said plungers having manually operatable portions normally biased to a position-in the plane of said-top plate, said top plate being formed from two pivotally. united portions, whereby said side Walls are adjustably conformable to table corners of varying angularities. 1

'2. A table attachment of the character dc.

scribed comprising a body portion of sheet material havin a flat top and two depending side walls, said flat top being adapted to rest on a table top near the edge thereof, and said side walls depending vertically from the opposed ends of said flat top in planes mutually convergent so as to contact the respectively convergent edge face portions of the table top in contact with said Walls, beverage container-holding means carried on the respective outer faces of said side walls and comprising collar members formed from sheet metal strip each said strip having an excess end portion extending beyond the periphery of said collar for attachment to its respective side wall at a point spaced from said collar, the wall of said collar being of substantial vertic'al extent for secure retention of said beverage container there- Within, a vertically reciprocable clamping finger slidably retained on the each said side wall below said top plate, helical spring biasing means fixed at its lower end to said side wall and at its upper end to said finger and adapted to urge said finger upwardly into contact with the under side of said table top, each said clamping finger having integral therewith an operating plunger for urging said finger downwardly out of contact with the table top as aforesaid, the upper end of said plunger having manually operatable horizontal tab means thereon which is normally biased to a position in the plane of said top plate, said plunger, and said helical spring biasing means being located in the vertical space encompassed by said side wall, said collar, and said excess end portion of said strip, and said tab means substantially closing the upper end of said vertical space when in normal position in the plane of said top plate.

3. A table attachment of the character described comprising a body portion of sheet material having a fiat top and two depending side walls, said flat top being adapted to rest on a table top near the edge thereof, and said side walls depending vertically from the opposed ends of said flat top in planes mutually convergent so as to contact the respectively convergent edge face portions of the table top in contact with said walls, beverage container-holding means carried on the respective outer faces of said side walls and comprising collar members formed from sheet metal strip each said strip having an excess end portion extending beyond the periphery of said collar for attachment to its respective side wall at a point spaced from said collar, the Wall of said collar being of substantial vertical extent for secure retention of said beverage container therewithin, a vertically reciprocable plunger slidably retained on the outer face of each said side Wall below the level of said top plate, a vertical slot in said plunger, a headed retaining stud having its shank passing through said slot and its shank tip fixed in said side wall whereby to guide said plunger and limit vertical travel thereof, said side Wall being provided with an aperture near the lower end of said plunger, a clamping finger fixed on the lower end of said plunger, and extending inwardly through said aperture, spring means carried by said side wall and abutting said plunger whereby to urge said finger upwardly into contact with the under side of said table top, the upper end of said plunger having manually operatable horizontal tab means thereon normally resting in the general plane of said top plate and adapted, by manual pressure thereon, to move said plunger and said clamping finger downwardly out of clampin contact with said table top.

TED E. FOULKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are 'of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,681,210 Banks Aug. 21, 1928 1,993,702 Brunhofi Mar. 5, 1935 1,994,200 Parker Mar. 12, 1935 

